Rosewood Hills was designed to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Homes certification standards. LEED certification provides third-party assurance to homebuyers that their home complies with rigorous technical requirements for energy and water efficiency, indoor air quality, non-toxic materials, and environmental performance. The green building concepts incorporated in homes built at Rosewood Hills include the following areas:
Water Efficiency
- Low flow faucet and shower heads; Dual flush toilets
- High efficiency irrigation systems
- Each home will save between 5,000 to 10,000 gallons of water per year.
Energy and Atmosphere
- 15 to 20% more energy efficient than standard code built homes
- Low–E windows to reduce the amount of heat gained from the sun
- High insulation value; Compact fluorescent light bulbs
- ENERGY STAR appliances; SEER 14 high-efficiency HVAC equipment
- Air tight building construction practices, and minimum duct leakage
Materials and Resources
- Environmentally Preferable Products such as green labeled cabinets and a number of products manufactured within 500 miles of Columbia.
- Cement siding as a standard feature with these homes which has a long life span and greatly improve the home’s durability.
Indoor Environmental Quality
- Tightly sealed construction between the garages and living spaces prevent pollutants such as exhaust from cars and fumes from entering the home
- Ventilation of the bathrooms and kitchens to the outdoors prevent potential moisture problems which can result in mold growth or home durability issues
- High efficiency air filter for the HVAC equipment cleans the air
- Fresh air from the outdoors through the air conditioning system provides pre-filtered and pre-conditioned fresh air
Awareness and Education
- Extensive home owner training includes information about the various green features of each home with a review of the mechanical systems, and proper maintenance requirements.
Location and Linkages
- No environmentally sensitive issues such as flood plains and protected wetlands
- Convenient access to public resources such as schools, grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, green spaces, and other community resources that people require
Land stewardship at Rosewood Hills incorporates sustainable site features such as:
- Terracing the existing site to minimize soil erosion
- Incorporating green spaces with side walks to promote a walk able community
- Drought tolerant plants in the landscaping to minimize irrigation requirements